Italy, Croatia: Adverse weather forecast across both countries through at least Feb. 1

Strong winds forecast across Italy and western Croatia through at least Feb. 1. Possible disruptions to transport, business, and utilities.

Event

Strong winds are forecast across much of Italy and western Croatia through at least Feb.1. The strong winds will likely lead to rough seas and hazardous travel conditions, with a possibility of storm surges in coastal regions. The worst affected areas are expected to be Sardinia and southern Croatia. Winds gusts of 65-130 kph (40-81 mph) are forecast in Middle and Southern Dalmatia and civil protection authorities in Sardinia have warned of storm surges on the island's west coast. Heavy snowfall is also forecast in higher elevated areas of Abruzzo Region, Italy.

As of Jan. 31, authorities have issued the following weather warnings across the affected area:

Red wind warnings (the highest level on a three-tier scale): Sardinia in Italy; Middle and Southern Dalmatia regions in Croatia.
Orange wind warnings: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Liguria, Lombardy, Molise, Piedmont, Sicily, Trentino-South Tyrol, Valle d'Aosta, and Veneto regions in Italy; Dubrovnik, Knin, Kvarner and Kvarner, Northern Dalmatia, Rijeka, Split, and Velebit Channel regions in Croatia.
Yellow wind warnings: Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Marche, Puglia, and Tuscany regions in Italy.
Yellow snow/ice warning: Abruzzo Region in Italy.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

The strong winds will lead to rough sea conditions and flooding is possible in coastal areas. Flying debris and fallen trees could cause damage to infrastructure and may block traffic routes. Power outages are possible throughout the affected area as strong winds may down power lines.

Transport
The severe weather will likely contribute to transport disruptions throughout the region. Traffic and commercial trucking delays might occur along regional highways. Strong winds might also pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations or close beach fronts if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions. Ferry services may be suspended and coastal roads could be made impassable by flooding. Hazardous weather conditions might cause flight delays and cancellations at regional airports.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions in affected areas. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.